Volunteering Long-Term

inYgo-Malta, a network of Jesuits and young people in Ignatian youth ministry, have successfully brought four European Voluntary Service (EVS) Projects to a close this month. These EVS projects are funded in a large part by the Youth in Action Programme of the European Union.

John Paul Cauchi and Pauline Bartolo spent a year in the slum of Kibera, in Nairobi, accompanying young students affected by AIDS from the St Aloysius’ College in Nairobi in a community service programme in the slum itself. Ruth Vella and Lawrence Bellizzi spent six months in a poor village in Egypt – El Minya. They were involved in teaching English and supportingother informal education programmes organized by the Jesuits and Brothers Association for Development. Maria Azzopardi and Franklin Farrugia spent six months accompanying children in their education and care in a home for orphans run by the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Ethiopia. Sameula Galea and Marilyn Grima are just back from a year in Santiago, Chile, working with children and women in human rights programmes with the organization Hogar de Christo.

Through these experiences, inYgo-Malta sought to contribute to the empowerment of the poor and marginalized. The volunteers developed a deeper understanding of the various factors which contribute to poverty and suffering worldwide. The projects also aimed to foster a deeper sensitivity and appreciation of the different realities and cultures of the world. The volunteers also came to value and share their own European reality through these projects. All the volunteers felt that this experience was life-changing and definitely a worthwhile experience to be recommended to all young people.

To view more details on each individual project click on one of the names of the countries below: